Japan Press Weekly

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2008 March 26 - April 1 [WELFARE]

A highly controversial ‘new’ medical-care system for elderly starts despite strong criticism

A highly controversial ‘new’ medical-care system that requires the elderly aged 75 and over to join started on April 1 despite strong criticism. About 13 million people will be forced into the system.

At a news conference on March 31, Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi said, “Even though the ‘new’ medical-care system has been put in motion, we will continue to demand that the system be revoked.”

In 2006, the ruling Liberal Democratic and Komei parties railroaded through the bill to adversely revise the medical-care system that included the introduction of the ‘new’ medical-care system for the elderly aged 75 and over.

Under the adverse ‘new’ medical-care system, the elderly aged 75 and over are forcibly withdrawn from the existing national health insurance program and enrolled in another health insurance program.

All people aged 75 and over are asked to pay a higher insurance premium, which will be automatically deducted from pension benefits.

The revelation of the details of the system has enraged the public throughout the country.

Four opposition parties, including the JCP, together have submitted a bill to repeal the new medical system.
- Akahata, April 1, 2008